I’ve asked in the past, and gotten some great feedback (special thanks to @AustenNut ). Up until this point, it was all sort of vague conjecture, as my D24 hadn’t expressed too much of an opinion on things. As jr. year is coming to an end, I have a better sense of her whole picture. Would love some thoughts on the list of schools where she will apply - are my assessments,re: safety and match correct? Would also love any suggestions for other places to consider.
Her stats:
UW gpa: 3.76/4.0.
Rigor: Will have 3 AP courses (including sr. year). A couple of honors courses throughout the rest of her years of study, but mostly what our school classifies as “advanced” (one step up from the regular class, but one step below honors).
SAT: 1410 superscored (680 M/ 730 EBRW).
No involvement with school-based ECs. Has held part-time jobs throughout most of her high school years, works 15-25 hr per week. Involved in a religion-based youth group that focuses on humanitarian and charitable acts of service.
Intended major: undecided right now, but definitely something in the applied sciences, possibly chem or biochem.
Looking for: open to medium to large school (student population 5000-20k) with wide-enough major offering to accommodate changing her mind or narrowing her focus. Strong in sciences. Wants a school with “things to do”, either on or off-campus. Suburban or urban campus are each fine. Really wants to find her people in school (HS has been rough, socially). She’s very bright, but not hugely ambitious. Not quirky or artsy. I think she’d do best in an environment with lots of bright, chill students. No schools with religious affiliation, please.
Our budget: aiming to keep COA at or under $35k , at this point. If there was some completely perfect school that she fell in love with at $40k, I suppose we could make it work. I work in higher ed and a couple of schools on our list will only be financially feasible if she is awarded a tuition exchange (TE) scholarship (noting those with an asterisk). We have not visited all of the schools at this point.
We are in NJ. Willing to go 7-8 hours (by car), though MY preference would be to stay within 3.
The list, so far:
Likely/safety schools:
Rowan University
Unnamed school where I am employed
West Chester University
University of Rhode Island
Target/Match schools:
TCNJ
Syracuse*
University of Delaware*
Reach:
RIT*
Stevens*
Pitt*
Looking at this list, thinking we need to find another target or two that are affordable without TE.
I think Bing would be a reach, and we already have enough of those on the list (IMO). Not super familiar with the others…